Full Breakdown
Steelers’ 2026 Draft: Missed Call, New Faces, and Future Outlook
4/28/2026, 9:46:22 AM
Draft-day drama – the missed Makai Lemon call
On the night of the first round, General Manager Omar Khan was on the phone with USC wide receiver Makai Lemon when the Philadelphia Eagles, after a trade with Dallas, announced they would select Lemon at No. 20. The Steelers, unaware of the trade, pivoted to Arizona State offensive tackle Max Iheanachor at No. 21. Khan later said the call “was captured on camera” and that “there was no ill intent” (Khan).
Draft strategy and key selections
Pittsburgh entered the three-day draft with a focus on offensive depth and a quarterback project. The ten picks and their draft-grade assessments were:
- Round 1, No. 21 – Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State (B+)
- Round 2, No. 47 – Germie Bernard, WR, Alabama (A+)
- Round 3, No. 76 – Drew Allar, QB, Penn State (B)
- Round 3, No. 85 – Daylen Everette, CB, Georgia (A)
- Round 3, No. 96 – Gennings Dunker, G, Iowa (B-)
- Round 4, No. 121 – Kaden Wetjen, WR/returner, Iowa (C)
- Round 5, No. 169 – Riley Nowakowski, FB/TE, Indiana (B)
- Round 6, No. 210 – Gabriel Rubio, DE, Notre Dame (C+)
- Round 7, No. 224 – Robert Spears-Jennings, S, Oklahoma (B+)
- Round 7, No. 230 – Eli Heidenreich, RB/WR, Navy (B+)
The selections added depth on both lines, a versatile receiver, a developmental quarterback, and special-teams assets.
Official statements & responses
Khan emphasized that “the draft, regardless of what round you’re in, you’re always getting thrown curveballs,” and defended the phone-call mishap as a timing issue. Offensive coordinator Brian Angelichio called the Bernard pick “very exciting,” noting his fit in the new scheme. Head coach Mike McCarthy praised Heidenreich’s “versatility” and said he “brings a lot of value on all four downs.” Quarterbacks coach Tom Arth highlighted Allar’s physical tools, stating “he’s 6-5, 235 lb and he has big hands.”
Criticism & opposition
Pittsburgh Sports Now analyst Mike J. Asti quoted an unnamed source: “It’s as if they were drafting a fantasy team with little research. It’s one of the worst and most confusing Steelers drafts I can remember.” The same source criticized the lack of a trade to secure Lemon and described the overall draft as “confusing.”
Impact on the Steelers
The offensive line now features a potential Day-One left tackle (Iheanachor) and a guard with starting upside (Dunker), which could improve the run game and protect the quarterback. Bernard adds a reliable target for Aaron Rodgers or a possible successor, while Wetjen offers immediate return-special-teams improvement. Allar provides a developmental quarterback option behind Rodgers, though his presence may marginalize veteran Mason Rudolph. The absence of an inside linebacker leaves a gap that the team expects veteran Patrick Queen to fill in his contract year.
Conflicting views & gaps
Analysts differ: CBS Sports labeled the draft a “terrific” infusion of talent, while others, citing the Lemon mishap and missing linebacker, view it as a “fumble.” No consensus exists on whether the class will translate into immediate on-field success.
Verbatim quotes
- “It’s as if they were drafting a fantasy team with little research. It’s one of the worst and most confusing Steelers drafts I can remember.” — Mike J. Asti, Pittsburgh Sports Now
- “The draft, regardless of what round you’re in, you’re always getting thrown curveballs.” — Omar Khan, GM, Steelers
- “We’re very excited.” — Brian Angelichio, Offensive Coordinator, Steelers (on Germie Bernard)
- “He really won the spring. He showed up at the combine and every step of the way, there were positive interactions. He earned his way to being drafted.” — Omar Khan, on Drew Allar
- “Obviously I have a lot of respect for what he’s done the last four years.” — Mike McCarthy, Head Coach, on Eli Heidenreich
What’s next
The Steelers will evaluate Allar’s preseason performance, integrate Bernard into the passing attack, and determine the final roster spots for Wetjen, Nowakowski and the defensive newcomers as training camp approaches.
